52 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



GOLD'S AUTOMATIC STEAM HEATING APPARATUS. 



There has recently been introduced into the Irving House, New York, a 

 wanning apparatus, the invention of Mr. S. J. Gold, of New Haven, which 

 involves a new method of managing the boiler and also of dispensing the heat 

 to the apartments. In parting with its heat steam changes into water, and 

 provision is made for allowing the water to trickle back to the bo' 1 from all 

 parts of the building without difficulty. 



We will describe each portion separately, and first the automatic or self- 

 regulating boiler. The ash-pit is closed by a tight-fitting door, and all the 

 air allowed to enter is drawn in through a tin pipe some four or five inches in 

 diameter. The pipe is crooked. It first leads up nearly to the ceiling, nest 

 descends nearly to the same level as that of the water within the boiler, and 

 then ascends again, leaving the end open. A connection is made by a small 

 pipe from the lower bend to a point in the boiler somewhat below the proper 

 water level, and the moment the pressure of the steam becomes sufficient to 

 force the water up and fill the bend of the air-pipe, the draught is entirely 

 stopped. As usually operated, the bend is partially filled, and every fluctua- 

 tion of pressure is followed by a change in the draught, which by checking or 

 increasing the fire restores it to its proper- condition. Water may be poured 

 at any time in the open end, and it immediately passes through the small 

 pipe into the boiler. The coal is supplied to the furnace in the usual manner 

 about two or three times a day, and if by any possible carelessness, such as 

 leaving the ash-pit open, too much steam is generated, the only effect will be 

 to throw out at the open end of the air-pipe first a quantity of water, and 

 then all the steam which is generated. 



The steam, thus uniformly maintained at the very moderate pressure of 

 one-half pound or less per square inch above that of the atmosphere, is con- 

 veyed in pipes of from one to two inches in diameter to all the apartments or 

 halls to be heated. In each room is placed a " radiator," any portion or the 

 whole of which may be made to diffuse heat like a stove, but with less inten- 

 sity. These radiators consist of broad flat plates set on edge and supported by 

 indentations and rivets. Each is perhaps 6 feet long, 3 feet high, and half an 

 inch thick. The heat is adjusted by hand. There are two cocks at the base 

 of each radiator, one connecting with the steampipe and the other with the air 

 of the apartment. By opening both the steam drives out the air and fills the 

 whole of the thin space ; but by closing the air-cock at a proper moment a 

 quantity of air may be retained which by its greater specific gravity fills the 

 lower portion and only allows the upper parts to be warmed. If less heat 

 be required, the steam-cock is shut and the air-cock opened, and in this 

 condition, as the steam gradually condenses, air is drawn in to any extent 

 desired. 



The addition of a small cock to permit the steam continually to escape and 

 moisten the air of the apartment, would probably be a valuable improve- 

 ment ; and with tin's or some similar means of regulating the hygrometric 

 condition of the vital fluid, the apparatus would be nearly all that could be 

 desired. 



